Community & Business
12 October, 2023
‘Happiest we’ve ever been’
A spur of the moment decision to stop at Pittsworth earlier this year has proven to be life-changing for Mischa and David Fahl, who now call our town home.
Mischa and David have settled at one of Pittsworth’s most historic homes, 18 Yandilla Street.
It was a case of love at first sight for the couple, who bought the house despite it not being on the market.
The Pittsworth chapter of their lives began as they returned from a funeral.
“Stopping in off the highway for a scone break, instead of buying David’s comfort food we bought a house instead,” Mischa said.”
“The moment we walked down the street we could feel the positivity of Pittsworth, the life in the beautifully presented shops, the well-kept streets and gardens and for us, most importantly, the smiles on people’s faces.
“Without sounding silly,
the vibe of the whole town was so warm and welcoming.”
Despite visiting the Darling Downs several times before, it was their first visit to Pittsworth.
An hour later and the Fahls had met the delightful Kathy Hohn from Ray White Rural Pittsworth.
Kathy took the time to drive Mischa and David around and they immediately spotted 18 Yandilla Street.
“A gorgeous old dame of a home that we understand has been an integral part of the town’s heritage fabric,” Mischa said.
“It has clearly been beautifully cared for from the moment the very first family lived here.
“A month later, despite it not being on the market, it was ours.
“Everyone who has visited and stayed with us comments on the sense of calm and peace it emanates.”
“It’s an absolutely stunning property,” David said.
“It just gets better as it gets older.”
Mischa, David and their pet Groodle Gracie have now lived in Pittsworth for a touch over four months.
They come from Maleny on the Sunshine Coast where they lived for 28 years.
They have been married for 36 years and have spent time across Australia and the globe.
Their attention has now fully turned to Pittsworth, and their new house, known to some locals as the ‘Zeller house’ after a family that used to live there.
“We have taken to slowly renovating the interior to make it our own now,” Mischa said.
“Honouring its 1904 build we have sourced heritage wallpapers for the extension that was masterfully built in later years, tiles and light fittings to complement the original, beautifully polished floors, the huge windows and high ceilings of 18 Yandilla Street.
“What continues to strike us more than any other aspect of our move is the quality, professionalism and humour of the local tradespeople we have engaged to help us out.
“Andrew Coonan our builder, Glynn McNamara our electrician and the incredible Clint who has helped us out with sourcing everything from timber for our fireplaces to removing a huge fallen tree branch.
“We must also mention our wonderful posties, Debbie at Pittsworth News and Indea from the Farm Shop.
“We have had so many terrific experiences in such a short time.”
“We honestly feel like we have won the lottery,” David said.
“Thanks to a chance meeting in IGA with a Maleny expat I was invited to join the Southbrook fire brigade within my first week and already feel a part of the team.”
“We are both so lucky to be able to sometimes work from home and to travel for work as needs be.”
Coming from living on acreage at Maleny, David said he loves the energy and community that comes from living in the Pittsworth township.
“It’s wonderful seeing kids walking to school,” he said.
“It’s a very energetic town. It has a good pace about it. It’s thriving.
“We’ve never been happier.”
David’s career as a barrister is now winding down and he is enjoying the opportunity to write and to actively contribute to the community in any way he can.
Mischa is still full-on in her role as an ethicist, an occupation she describes as focused on conflict resolution, solving the world’s conflicts one at a time.
In Mischa’s words, “The only challenge we now face is that we don’t want to travel at all anymore, we are so content to live out our lives in this incredible village of Pittsworth.”
